Musical instrument of the stringed type



192 7 R. A. HAZELL MUSICAL INSTRUMENT OF THE STRINGED TYPE Filed Avril 21. 1926 Patented Apr. 19, 1927.

umrun: FATE nir RUPEM ALEXANDERHAZELL, OFMELBOURNE, VICTORIA, AUSTRALIA;

MUSICAIJ.-INSTRUMENT OF- THE STRINGED TYPE.

Applicatiomfiled April 21, 1926, Serial No. 103,553, and in Australia November 24, 1925.

This invention has reference to a stringed musical instrument and hasfor its object the arrangement of a number of strings in the one plane, all of which are playable simultaneously. with, an ordinary bow common to stringed instruments.

With the existing stringed instruments not more. than two strings are playable simultaneously, the reason being'that they are not in the one plane.

An essentiahfeature embodiedinthe invention consists in the combination with a stringed instrument. playable with a bow of a bridge having astraight edge, such bridge being adapted to support the strings intension and maintain them in the requisite tuned relationship.

A further essential. feature. embodied in the invention consists in forming the bridge as part of a stylus, one end of-which connects a diaphragm to which may be connected a suitable amplifying device as a funnel, horn or other suitable member.

A further essential feature consists in the provision of guides arranged in the bow line of the strings in order to prevent the bow wandering from its correct playing position and it is preferred to make the said guides detachable so that when one becomes skilled in the manipulation of the instrument the said guides may, if desired, be removed.

In order to more readily understand the invention reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings in which Figure l is a view in side elevation of an instrument constructed according to my invention.

Figure 2 is an enlarged view showing approximate position of parts with strings re moved.

Figure 3 is a view in section showing diaphragm, bridge, stylus and mounting to receive a suitable amplifying device, and

Figure 4 is a perspective view of a bow guide.

According to this invention the instrument comprises a neck portion 5 to which is connected an enlarged portion 6 provided with a cut-out knee gripping portion 7 as the instrument is played with the lower end between the knees whilst the upper end is adjacent the shoulder, the manner of playing being similar to the cello.

At the upper end are the tuning keys 8 which are disposed so that they place tension on the strings 9 through a system of gearing common to stringed instruments, the strings passing the entire length of the instrument and over frets 10 which-are embedded in the upper surface 11 of the. neck 5. at selected intervals as shown and it" is upon these frets 10. that the selection of notes orchords is obtained, the saidstrings 9 passing rearwardly over a bridge 12 thence are bent over a metallic corner 13 to be held to the instrument as by screws 14.

The bridge 12 is positioned slightly to the rear of a hollowed portion 15 of the instrument,andis preferably of metal, the said bridge .12 having; a straight edge 16 so that all strings asQ are inthe-one plane and consequently play-able simultaneously.

' The above mentioned;bridge is connected to. or formed on a stylus l7, theone'end of which connects a diaphragm 18, and the sound, afterimpinging upon said diaphragm 18, is then conducted to any suitable amplifying device as a horn 19.

The diaphragm 18 is held between two flexible rings 20 as rubber which in turn is retained between the disc 21 and the ring 22, the member 21*22 being held together by means of screws 23.

The disc 21 is provided with a tubular portion 2-iwhich may be formed on or fitted thereto, said tube 24 being adapted to receive a horn as 19 adapted to amplify the sound.

The whole of the members constituting the diaphragm are rigidly held to the instrument by means of wood screws 25, said diaphragm being in a recess 25 formed in the body portion of the instrument.

In order to assist a. beginner when learning the use of a bow, a guide is arranged as shown which is adapted. to receive the bow therebetween but after the musician has mastered the bow the guide 26 may then be removed. if desired, sa1d guide co1nprising a plate 26 formed with integral legs 2?, screws being passed through the holes 28 and into the surface of the instrument as shown in Figure 1.

The straight edged bridge 12 enables all strings 9 being bowed simultaneously, thereby obtaining chords which are changeable as desired to obtain the blending necessary to the change of tone.

The instrument may also be used as a solo instrument by only using one string, each playable string being the two outside ones.

An instrument constructed as described may be handled successfully by one who is quite unskilled in the usage of stringed instruments and in a remarkably short space of time to play tunes wholly in chords, or in part, according to the skill of the player and by the air or harmony being delivered in chords a rich and organ-like result is obtained.

Therefore my invention consists in the employment with a stringed instrument of a straightbridge adapted to place all or more than two strings in the same plane and playable together simultaneously with a bow, and connecting said bridge with a stylus which is connected to a diaphragm from whence the sound may be suitably amplified.

Although I have described a straight bridge to support a plurality of strings in the same plane, I desire it to be understood that the functions herein described may be accomplished by modifications in the bridge without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, and furthermore by forming the bridge and its connections of metal greater resonance of sound is obtained.

I do not wish to arbitrarily confine my self to the hereindescribed details but desire it to be understood that various improvements and modifications may be cmbodied Without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, the essential function of which .is above described.

What I claim as my invention and desire to secure by Letters Patent is 1- A musical instrument of the class described comprising a body portion having a neck portion at the end of which are keys for adjusting the tension on strings which pass rearwardly over a bridge, and over a ietal angle piece, to be held to the instrument in any suitable way, frets disposed upon the upper surface of the neck portion at selected intervals, said bridge member being characterized by a straight edge adapted to support a plurality of strings in one plane, the bridge having an extension in the form of a stylus which connects a diaphragm supported in any suitable way, and carried in a recess formed in the body of the instrument, a tubular extension in communication with the diaphragm and a knee gripping member to the instrument body as described.

Signed at Melbourne, Victoria, Australia,

this 9th day of March A. D. 1926.

RUPERT ALEXANDER HAZELL. 

